An Integrated Strategy to Decrease Eared Dove Damage in Sunflower Crops

Eared doves (Zenaida auriculata) damage mature sunflowers in Uruguay. Although repellents might be useful as a control method, durability and expense have discouraged their use. In the present report, we describe laboratory, aviary, and field research designed to evaluate methiocarb and calcium carbonate as durable, economical repellents. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) was as effective as CaCO3 /methiocarb in combination in deterring consumption of sunflowers. Moreover, treating field borders with CaCO3 or the CaCO3 /methiocarb combination was as effective as treating the entire field for at least 12 days. This period is sufficiently long to deter damage to sunflower during the critical period just before harvest. We conclude that CaC03 can provide an economical tool to reduce bird damage to sunflower in Uruguay

Correlates of Out-of-Pocket and Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Tanzania: Results from a National Household Survey.

Inequality in health services access and utilization are influenced by out-of-pocket health expenditures in many low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Various antecedents such as social factors, poor health and economic factors are proposed to direct the choice of health care service use and incurring out-of-pocket payments. We investigated the association of these factors with out-of-pocket health expenditures among the adult and older population in the United Republic of Tanzania. We also investigated the prevalence and associated determinants contributing to household catastrophic health expenditures. We accessed the data of a multistage stratified random sample of 7279 adult participants, aged between 18 and 59 years, as well as 1018 participants aged above 60 years, from the first round of the Tanzania National Panel survey. We employed multiple generalized linear and logistic regression models to evaluate the correlates of out-of-pocket as well as catastrophic health expenditures, accounting for the complex sample design effects. Increasing age, female gender, obesity and functional disability increased the adults' out-of-pocket health expenditures significantly, while functional disability and visits to traditional healers increased the out-of-pocket health expenditures in older participants. Adult participants, who lacked formal education or worked as manual laborers earned significantly less (p < 0.001) and spent less on health (p < 0.001), despite having higher levels of disability. Large household size, household head's occupation as a manual laborer, household member with chronic illness, domestic violence against women and traditional healer's visits were significantly associated with high catastrophic health expenditures. We observed that the prevalence of inequalities in socioeconomic factors played a significant role in determining the nature of both out-of-pocket and catastrophic health expenditures. We propose that investment in social welfare programs and strengthening the social security mechanisms could reduce the financial burden in United Republic of Tanzania

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

\u3ci\u3eAgelaius\u3c/i\u3e Blackbirds And Rice In Uruguay And The Southeastern United States

Throughout the world, wherever rice is grown, birds that damage the crop are attracted. The situations are particularly interesting in Uruguay and the southeastern United States where different species of blackbird have adapted to rice cultivation. In the two countries, rice production practices differ in several respects such as seeding rate, seedbed preparation, and insect control practices. Furthermore, although they are congeneric, the major rice pest species differ in important ways. For example, in Uruguay, Agelaius ruficapillus usually nests in the rice field, whereas A. phoeniceus, in the U.S., does so only rarely. Agronomic and ornithological aspects of these two blackbird-rice systems are discussed and implications for development of effective damage management strategies are evaluated

Bird Depredations in Uruguayan Vineyards

Many species of birds in Uruguay frequent vineyards and damage grapes, both species that are considered crop pests and species that are protected by law because their conservation and protection are desirable. We surveyed 70 farmers in the Department of Canalones, the main grape growing region in Uruguay, to determine their perceptions about the nature and severity of bud depredations and the methods being employed to reduce such damage. Sixty-seven percent of respondents reported receiving damage from birds. Bird depredations were considered a serious problem by 58% of respondents, a moderate problem by 19% of respondents, and a minor problem by 19% of respondents. The species most often cited as causing damage were Picazuro pigeons, great kiscadees, and creamy-bellied thrushes. Respondents use a variety of methods to deter bud depredations including firearms, toxic baits, visual deterrents, and chemical repellents. We describe a research proposal to determine more precisely the magnitude of bird depredations in Uruguayan vineyards, to adapt and/or develop management tools, and to formulate and implement a pilot management plan for reducing bird depredations